International Student Insurance

[contact1214]

I enrolled for Master's degree in Fall 2015. A day before the start of my program I received an email from my adviser that the university has made International Student Insurance compulsory to be taken from them. The cost for Insurance last year was $2450 and I had to pay as I was left with no options. This year again university is asking to take the Insurance from them and has increased the cost to $2750. They say the provider has increased the cost. My program finishes in Feb 2017 so I am with my school for a few months only and they are asking for full year insurance.

Can anyone please tell me what can I do to save some money here? I understand Insurance is mandatory but the cost is too high and my university is not giving any options.

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[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Admin]

Your message was posted anonymously on our Facebook wall at https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/po...28084133875618 19th Aug - Please review comments from other users

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

Check if they can waive that amount, if you buy Health Insurance from other companies like PSI e.t.c. They are much cheaper ones

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

What all will the health insurance usually cover ? Say if a person is Ill during masters and couldn't continue ?

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

go for https://www.isoa.org/ it is cheapest. as per age it varies. under $600 per semester.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

Try Blue Cross Blue Shield, it's cheap for students appx $800+/6months. Most top universities have it as a part of uni bill. And then, apply for waiver at ur uni.
Besides this, it's always good to have Insurance.

[contact1214]

True, but school is kind of forcing all international students to buy the insurance from them. I have contacted International student insurance and ISO but they said that its schools's discretion and nobody can help the situation. It just not good to spend almost $3000 whre we can get kind of same insurance in much much lesser rate.

Thanks otherwise for your help.

[contact1214]

Besides, what does waiver means in context with Insurance and does anyone knows whats the process? My counselor says that school has to comply with Affordable care act (ACA) regulations and the plan is negotiated through a group rate because international students cannot purchase health insurance through the state exchange as that is only available to US citizens or persons in a lawful immigrant status. Does anyone know anything about this regulation or state exchange thing?
Your opinion would be much appreciated.